Method and kit for treatment/prevention of hair loss

ABSTRACT

The method includes the steps of cleansing of the scalp sufficiently to remove material which would otherwise block antiviral medication from reaching hair follicles, heating the scalp to increase the absorption of the antiviral medication and applying the antiviral medication to the scalp in effective amount to suppress viral replication or viral activation present in the nerves leading to the scalp.

PRIOR APPLICATION

This is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/531,488 filed Sep. 13, 2006 and claims the priority thereof.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to the field of hair loss and, morespecifically, concerns a method and related kit for use in the treatmentand/or prevention of hair loss.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hair loss, although not a life-threatening or physically painfulcondition, does have significant negative social and psychologicaleffects. In the United States, approximately 35 million men younger than50 have discernable hair loss, and considerable effort and expense areincurred in attempts to remedy the condition. The demand for hairloss/regrowth treatment is a multibillion dollar industry. This includesvarious treatments, including treatment products, as well as surgicalprocedures for hair restoration, such as hair transplants. While a hairtransplant process can be effective, it is also quite expensive, andtakes considerable time to produce the desired results. Othertechniques, such as hair weaving, also exist.

There are a wide variety of hair loss treatment products; most of them,however, have no positive effect at all. Two products approved by theFDA have shown some results (Finasteride and Minoxidil). However, theseproducts do not work for all users, in particular those that alreadyhave significant hair loss, and the improvement is relatively small formost consumers. Further, improvement is lost if the required topicalapplication or oral treatment is stopped.

Since hair loss does have a significant negative effect on manyindividuals and since the problem is quite widespread, it would bedesirable to have a treatment which is effective in preventing hair lossor stimulating regrowth, while being relatively inexpensive and notrequiring a surgical procedure.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one embodiment is a method for treatment/prevention of hairloss, comprising the steps of: cleansing the scalp sufficiently toremove material which would block an antiviral agent from reaching thehair follicles; heating the scalp so as to increase absorption ofantiviral agent applied to the scalp; and applying an antiviral agent tothe scalp in an effective amount to suppress viral replication or viralactivation present in the nerves in the region of the scalp which leadto hair loss.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the cause of hair loss as currentlyunderstood (prior art).

FIG. 2 is a chart illustrating the potential for baldness based on thecauses of baldness discussed herein.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the human skull and the pattern of nervesover the skull area.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

This invention is directed toward a method and an accompanying kit fortreatment or prevention of hair loss. The method and kit are based on anew understanding of the possible cause of hair loss set forth in thisapplication. It is currently believed that hair loss is the result of agenetic link. Those who have the specified genetic factor have apredisposition for increased conversion of testosterone todihydrotestosterone (DHT), caused by too much of a particular enzyme,5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone to DHT. DHT is thought tobe the actual cause of hair loss, by accelerating the hair growth cycle,preventing new hair from maturing and producing an early fallout ofexisting hair. Over time, the hair follicles (cells) weaken and die.

One product approved by the FDA currently available for hair losstreatment, Finasteride (Propecia®), blocks the enzyme 5-alpha reductase,while the other, Minoxidil (Rogaine®), is believed to produce increasedblood vessel formation to the hair follicle, thereby preventing thedeath of the follicle. The process of hair loss as currently understoodis illustrated in FIG. 1, in which testosterone 12 is converted by theenzyme 5-alpha reductase 14, to DHT 16. The androgen receptor 17 for theDHT 16 with its transcription effect relative to the hair follicle inthe nucleus 18 of the cell causes the hair loss. In FIG. 1, the use ofFinasteride 19 blocks the effect of 5-alpha reductase.

In the new understanding of hair loss, disclosed herein, the underlyingcause of hair loss is quite different, although DHT still plays a role.In this new concept, a virus dwelling in the nerves of the scalp, andthe human body's response to the virus, results in male patternbaldness. More specifically, the cause of hair loss is the result of aninitial chronic viral infection which comes to dwell in the nerves ofthe scalp, followed by activation of latent viral replication and viralrelease, followed in turn by an immune response to the virus and/ormimicked viral components, with resulting elevated levels of DHT furtherstimulating the viral replication and producing an antiviral immuneresponse which weakens the hairs, resulting in fallout. Thus, in virallyinfected males, the conversion of testosterone to DHT increases viralreplication whenever viral latency is broken, producing continuingaction against hair follicles.

Baldness and the degree of baldness is further indicated as being linkedto viral acquisition prior to puberty. Once puberty occurs, elevatedlevels of testosterone in males is normally converted to DHT. Under thenew concept described herein, men who are predisposed to converttestosterone to elevated levels of DHT actually only become bald if theyare also infected with a virus which dwells in the nerves of the scalp.Baldness is hence limited to the areas serviced by nerves and nervebranches where the latent virus resides. In summary, baldness is causedby a chronic viral infection, its future replication at some point intime and the associating immune response of the body to the virus and/ormimicked viral components.

The chronic viral infection can be the result of various known viruses.One strong possibility is the herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), or amutant form thereof. There are currently nine known herpes viruses, twoof the best known and most prevalent of which are HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1(“the kissing virus”) is typically transmitted by oral contact (such asa kiss on the lips). Transmission usually occurs in childhood by contactwith an adult with an oral lesion. After infection, the virus is usuallylatent in the nerves and only replicates when the latency is broken. Inthe United States, by teenage years or young adulthood, about 50 percentof Americans have HSV-1 antibodies in their blood. By the time they areover age 50, approximately 80 to 90 percent have HSV-1 antibodies. Inother countries, particularly Asian countries, HSV-1 antibodies are muchless prevalent, as is the rate of baldness. HSV-2, also known as genitalherpes, is also a virus which can have the same effect for baldness.

HSV is sequestered in specific nerves of the nervous system, includingthe nerves to the scalp. The virus residing in the nerves affecting thescalp produce the effect of baldness. Male pattern baldness is caused byviral replication on the specific nerves which are directed to the topof the head. Referring to FIG. 3, showing a skull 20, particular nerves22 which extend from the spinal column 24 to the top and crown of thehead 26 is a common location for a resident HSV-1 virus. The nerves thatfeed the hair on other areas of the head, such as the side and rear, arefrom different main nerves. Those nerves are typically unaffected by abaldness-producing virus. Accordingly, the sides and back of heads ofmen with pattern baldness tend to have hair, because the nerves to thoseareas are unaffected by viruses. This is in opposition to the currenttheory, which states that those areas have hair which is resistant toDHT.

Thus, baldness patterns are viewed as a reflection of a neurological(nerve) pattern (the nerves being affected by a virus), as opposed to apattern of DHT resistance. Typically, balding which starts out at therear top of the head is due to the virus initially taking the path ofleast resistance, exiting at the nerve endings at that particularlocation.

It is the combination of a virus in specific nerves to the scalp, and agenetic predisposition to convert more testosterone into DHT, whichaccounts for male pattern baldness. The degree of baldness is linked toviral acquisition prior to puberty, since hair loss will begin aselevated testosterone begins at puberty, with conversion to DHT. Notefrom the table of FIG. 2, that a male (females do not become bald underthis viral infection theory because testosterone in the scalp is lackingand therefore not converted to DHT) who is infected with HSV-1 beforepuberty, as well as being genetically predisposed to a highconcentration of DHT, will certainly (++) become bald. Before puberty,the virus previously transmitted is latent in specific nerves in thescalp area, and only becomes active as a result of the increase intestosterone following puberty, when normal latency of the virus isbroken. As further indicated in the table, if exposure to the virusoccurs after puberty, those individuals will lose their hair but at adifferent rate or in a different pattern than otherwise. The tablefurther indicates that unless both factors are present, the individualwill not lose hair in male pattern baldness.

The treatment set forth herein is based in a primary embodiment onmedications used to treat viral infections, in one example, medicationsfor treatment of herpes. Herpes medications include Acyclovir (Zovirax),Valacyclovir (Valtrex), Famciclovir (Famvir) and Trifluridine (used forHSV eye infections). In one aspect of the present invention, theantiviral medication is applied topically in a way as to penetrate theskin and reach the hair follicles. Typically, even though an individualhas been exposed in pre-puberty to viral infection, treatment will notbegin at that point. However, post-puberty, in young males, with initialloss of hair, one phase of the treatment will include a topicalapplication of an antiviral medication. This can also be used at a latertime, even when hair loss is more advanced.

The preferred method includes a first step of cleansing the scalp. Anacidic shampoo, like glycolic acid, citric acid, or other hydroxyl orbeta-hydroxyl acid is used to clean the scalp. The shampoo should beapplied using a skin care brush or cleanser with an abrasive scrubelement. One example of a suitable power skin brush is shown in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/873,564 and Ser. No. 10/873,584 which areowned by the applicant of the present invention. However, other brusheshaving a similar scrubbing effect can be used.

In the next step, the scalp is prepared to absorb the medication,assuming the shampoo has been effective in the cleansing of the scalp.Immediately after the scalp has been cleaned, with the follicles thusbeing free of debris, the skin care brush is used to apply warm waterfor ten to 60 seconds. Heat helps in increasing absorption of the viralmedication.

The medication is then applied in an amount on the prepared scalp tocover the hair loss area with a visible amount of medication, using adamp warm brush or an applicator. The material is placed on the baldingarea with gentle pressure, using the brushhead applicator. A circularmotion is appropriate, with 10 to 60 seconds of application. Themedication is then applied a second time, using the applicator, allowingthe topical medication to be absorbed into the skin. This procedure canbe carried out both in the morning and before bedtime.

The antiviral medication itself can be in the form of lotions, creams,solutions, patches, or other drug formulations. The active ingredientmust be a drug or combination of drugs which is known to be antiviral orto suppress viral replication. These include the medications mentionedabove, specifically Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, Famciclovir and others,including Penciclovir, and Doscosanol. Still other medications arepossible.

In the event that hair loss continues, it is possible, even likely, thatthe hair follicles are plugged, preventing the absorption of anappropriate amount of medication. In such a case, treatment shouldinclude using an abrasive cleanser with a skin care brush, or chemicallypeeling the scalp using conventional over the counter (OTC) skin peelsor removal of the plugs using adhesive skin strips or the like.

The scalp can also be further prepared with heat to absorb themedication. Other heat techniques can be used, including covering of thebald area with a plastic wrap, adding a hot wet towel for five minutesor so, with the topical medication being then applied with a skin carebrush. Alternatively, dry heat from a hair dryer or the like can be usedto heat the skin for two minutes or so prior to applying the medicationwith the skin care brush.

In addition to the topical treatment, a systemic treatment plan can alsobe used. The status of the virus can be maintained at a low level on thebasis of oral antivirals. This can be used alone, or combined with thetopical treatment for maximum effectiveness. An initial suppression ofthe virus can be treated using the above medications, specificallyAcyclovir, Famciclovir, and Valacyclovir. Other medications can be usedas they are discovered to be effective against the herpes virus orperhaps other viruses which may be discovered to be a cause of the hairloss. In this regimen, for initial suppression, as an example, Acyclovircan be taken at 400 milligrams three times a day for five days, 200milligrams five times a day for five days, or 800 milligrams twice a dayfor five days. Famciclovir can be taken at 125-250 milligrams twice aday for five days; while Valacyclovir can be taken at 500 milligrams—1milligram twice a day for 3-10 days, or 1 gram once a day for 5 days.

For suppressive therapy to prevent hair loss, possible effectiveprotocols include Acyclovir for 400 milligrams twice a day orFamciclovir 250 milligrams twice a day, or Valacyclovir for 500milligrams once a day, or further, 1 milligram once a day. The above areexamples of possible medications and the level of medications necessaryto produce the desired response. Finally, intravenous administration ofmedications, such as Foscarnet, for Acyclovir-resistant herpes can beused, in a hospital or supervised at-home situation.

It should be understood that the above medications can be used alone orin some combination, in addition to other antiviral medications.

In addition to the antiviral medications disclosed above, other viraltherapies are known which could also be used for the suppression orprevention of the viral infection, which will result in fewer viralparticles and a suppressed imuno-response to the virus and/or mimickedantiviral antigens.

One example of such an antiviral therapy is vaccination. The vaccinewould result in the prevention of the transmission of the virus so as toprevent hair loss. Hence, vaccine therapy could be effective in thisapplication.

Another effective therapy is known as photodynamic therapy (PDT). PDTinvolves the use of light of a specific wave length in conjunction witha chemical reagent. When a specific wave length of light applied to thearea coded or embedded with reagent, heightened reaction occurs. Thisheightened reaction often results in the death of whatever has absorbedthe reagent. The use of specific dyes and wave lengths can be used toinactivate herpes virus (for instance) associated with hair loss. As anexample, such a dye could be applied to the scalp of the head, enabledto penetrate to the appropriate depth of the hair follicle, and thenexposed to a given effective wavelength, so as to inactivate the virusor force it back into latency.

Another example is the use of topical chemicals. For instance, a simplechemical element or chemical compound could inactivate, suppress orblock the suspect virus in a specific location, resulting in diminishedhair loss. In addition to the light-activated chemicals mentioned above,some chemicals when exposed to air or a correct enzyme result in anincrease in temperature, e.g. sufficient to impact the virus. Thesesimple chemicals, dyes or forms of iodine, could have enough of aneffect on viruses by themselves to prevent or reduce the damage to hairfollicles.

Still further, it is commonly known that heat can inactivate pathogensand prevent disease or help accelerate the immune response to a givenpathogen. By accelerating the healing rate using heat, it is possiblethat the level of virus present is reduced over a given time, resultingin a suboptimal viremia to also trigger an immune response significantenough to result in hair loss. Heating could be applied to the scalp fora specified time, causing the virus to retreat into a latent state andreduce or quiet the immune response so as to prevent the destruction ofthe hair.

As a group, the above are referred to as antiviral agents.

Still other viral treatments may be possible. The above illustratevarious possible treatments to counteract or reduce the viral effect inthe nerves of the scalp.

Hence, a discovery has been made relative to cause of hair loss, and amethod of treatment and a kit for carrying out the treatment have beendisclosed for treating hair loss in accordance with this new discovery.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed forpurpose of illustration, it should be understood that various changesand substitutions can be made to the embodiment without departing fromthe spirit of the invention, which is defined by the claims whichfollow.

1. A method for treatment/prevention of hair loss, comprising the stepsof: cleansing the scalp sufficiently to remove material which wouldblock an antiviral agent from reaching the hair follicles; heating thescalp so as to increase absorption of antiviral agent applied to thescalp; and applying an antiviral agent to the scalp in an effectiveamount to suppress viral replication or viral activation present on thenerves in the region of the scalp which lead to hair loss.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein the antiviral agent is an antiviral medication. 3.The method of claim 2, wherein the antiviral medication includes an HSVmedication.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the HSV is chosen from thegroup comprising: Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, Famciclovir, Foscarnet,Penciclovir and Trifluridine.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the stepof cleansing the scalp includes the steps of using an acidic shampoo,applied with a power skin care brush.
 6. The method of claim 1,including the step of chemically peeling the scalp or using adhesiveskin strips to remove plugging material from the hair follicles.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the step of heating the scalp includes thestep of applying warm water for a selected period of time by a powerskin care brush.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of heatingthe scalp includes the step of using dry heated air to heat the skin forat least two minutes.
 9. The method of claim 2, wherein the step ofapplying the antiviral medication includes the step of applying themedication with a power skin care brush.
 10. The method of claim 2,including repeating the step of applying the antiviral medication. 11.The method of claim 1, including the further step of ingesting aneffective amount of an antiviral medication.
 12. A kit fortreatment/prevention of hair loss, comprising: a power skin brush; anacidic shampoo which when applied to the scalp of the user by action ofthe skin brush results in cleaning of the scalp and the hair follicles;and an antiviral agent which is applied to the scalp in an effectiveamount to suppress viral replication or viral activation present incertain nerves of the scalp which lead to hair loss.
 13. The kit ofclaim 12, wherein the antiviral agent is an antiviral medication. 14.The kit of claim 12, wherein the skin brush is a power skin brush,having a rotating action.
 15. A method for treatment/prevention of hairloss, comprising the steps of: ingesting periodically an effectiveamount of an antiviral medication sufficient to suppress viralreplication or viral activation in the nerves in the region of the scalpwhich lead to hair loss.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein theantiviral medication is taken daily.
 17. The method of claim 15, whereinthe antiviral medication includes an HSV medication.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the HSV medication is chosen from the groupcomprising: Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, Famciclovir, Foscarnet, Penciclovirand Trifluridine.
 19. A method for treatment/prevention of hair loss,comprising the steps of: applying an antiviral agent to the body of theuser in a location and in an effective amount to suppress viral presencein the nerves in the region of the scalp which leads to hair loss. 20.The method of claim 19, wherein the antiviral agent is an antiviralmedication or medications.
 21. The method of claim 19, wherein theantiviral agent is a non-medication chemical which is activated toproduce an antiviral effect.
 22. The method of claim 19, wherein theantiviral agent is heat.
 23. The method of claim 19, wherein theantiviral agent is a vaccine.